President’s Blog – January 2010

First, happy new year to all in Camogie. Hope you’ve survived the elements.  Did you take the opportunity to use those all-weather pitches and indoor training circuits to beat the climate!

 

One or two things to tell you about…

 

If you are interested in a good night’s sporting history and debate and you’re free on 28th January, come along to the GAA Museum in Croke Park. 2010 marks the 105th anniversary of the official establishment of the Camogie Association. It is therefore both timely and appropriate that we have an evening of history and debate on the past, present and future of Camogie, hosted at headquarters. To book tickets and further details check out http://museum.gaa.ie/

 

Did you see the findings from the Irish Sports Monitor, published in December? This is research by the Irish Sports Council and the ESRI. The 2008 report is the second in a new annual series that monitors participation in sport. The research reflected the outstanding development work being undertaken all over the country by our full time team and our volunteers. It suggested that Camogie has grown considerably amongst females aged 16 or over. Camogie and Ladies Football equally share the top spot as the most popular team sports for females in Ireland. Interestingly the growth in Camogie bucks the trend of females leaving individual sport, which the study also highlighted. 

 

It is extremely encouraging to have independent evidence that proactive promotion of  Camogie leads to a positive response. Our new five year development plan, which will be ready for Annual Congress in Kildare on 26th/27th March, has excellent foundations to build so well done everybody! And onwards and upwards!

 

Over the Xmas, I attended an innovative event in Kilmacud Crokes GAA when Dublin Camogie and Ladies Football County Boards jointly organised a double header.  In both codes, Dublin played a Dublin All Stars selection. The Ladies Football President, Pat Quill, joined me and we were very impressed with the co-operation evident in the planning and execution of a novel afternoon’s entertainment.

 

Two of our full time team, Paula Bruen Finance Officer and Eve Talbot, Regional Development Officer togged out. They showed they are a match for the best! Congratulations to all involved, especially the 80 odd players and the match officials who braved Artic conditions. In true style, the show went on.  Let’s keep up the co-operation all round. Our players and clubs will be the beneficiaries and we all want that.

 

The inter county playing season is nearly upon us with a 7th February throw in. But Camogie action has not been still! Post-primary schools competitions and Ashbourne and Purcell Cup qualifying rounds are in full flow. Watch out for finals of the latter on 20th/21st Feb in Cork Institute of Technology (creating history as this will be first time Cups have been played together). And if you are interested in the up and coming stars, the All Ireland Post-Primary Finals are on March 20th.

In meantime, hope you’ve had time to check out and enjoy all the developments from the hard working Communications and Website Committee:  the publication of our new magazine On the Ball, the first issue of our ezine Camogiezine and Camogie on Facebook, Twitter and in many other social network media and work on the annual media awards.

Until the next time,

Siobhan NÝ Fhloinn
Joan O’Flynn
Uachtarßn

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